Recovery from a Flood

When you return home after a flood, you may be shaken to discover the level of damage to your home. Essential services that you once relied on such as power, water, sewage and gas services may not be working.

There could also be road and rail damage, no public transport, airport closures and loss of telecommunications such as telephone and Automatic Teller Services (ATM).

You may require emergency accommodation, welfare support services, money, food or water.

Getting back to normal as quickly as possible is the best thing you can do after an emergency.

If you are insured, it is important to contact your insurer, request an assessment and specific advice relating to your policy before discarding, authorising repairs or cleaning any damaged or flood affected property.

It is best to take photographs, video footage and make an inventory of your property and contents to assist with the claims process

Protect yourself from possible contamination from bacteria in remaining floodwaters by covering any open wounds before you start cleaning and wearing protective clothing.

What to wear during the cleanup

Rubber gloves and goggles to protect your hands and eyes from splashing water

Water resistant clothing, preferably long trousers to protect cover legs from sharp objects

Protective shoes for example, gum boots and closed in footwear

Mosquitoes and snakes

Flood waters attract increased activity from wildlife including mosquitoes and snakes bringing associated health risks. Mosquitoes can spread human disease easily and after flooding the presence of mosquitoes is very common.

Health risks can be avoided by following a few simple steps

Cover up as much as possible with loose fitting clothing and enclosed footwear

Use an effective repellent on exposed skin areas and vigilantly reapply often

Use repellents that contain Diethyl Toluamide of DEET less than 20 percent

Light mosquito coils or use vaporising mats

Do not attempt to handle or approach snakes that may have entered your property

If you find snakes in your home contact the police who will help coordinate removal and relocation

It may take several weeks, even longer in winter, to completely dry out your home. To avoid trapping moisture inside the home, everything that is wet and able to be moved should be taken outside to dry.

In dry weather, open all doors and windows

On wet days, leave windows partly open as the inside of the house will only dry when moisture can get out

If you have heaters, turn them on in as many rooms as possible and leave windows open

Do not use more than one heater per room as too much heat may warp and crack wood

Apply commercial grade cleaner

After cleaning surfaces, go over the entire room with disinfectant

Clean walls from the bottom up

If you have taped the windows, remove tape and use glass cleaner to remove adhesive